The year is 2025, and the countdown has begun – Doom: The Dark Ages is on the horizon, and you’re in desperate need of something to slay time until you can wield your BFG once again.
Don’t worry, fellow Slayer, I’ve got your back. While you wait for the apocalypse (or whatever else the Doom franchise decides to throw at us next), it’s time to turn your attention to games that will keep you just as hooked as the Doom franchise does with its hellish soundtrack and demon-smashing goodness.
Whether you’re in the mood for brutal combat, dark atmospheres, or just a game with enough chaos to make you forget the wait, these five titles will help you sharpen your skills, ready your chainsaw, and keep your inner demon hunter fed.
Doom may be the OG regarding ultra-violence, but these games offer their unique spin on the blood-soaked formula. So, while you’re eagerly checking your calendar and praying for the early release (we can dream, right?), these five games will tide you over.
Ready to rip and tear through this list? Let’s get started.
Doom / Doom Eternal
Platforms: PlayStation 4; PlayStation 5; PC; Xbox One; Xbox Series X/S; Nintendo Switch
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The Doom franchise roared back to life with the release of Doom (2016), a relentless, adrenaline-pumping reboot that brought back the series’ signature high-speed combat and demon-slaying fun.
You play as the iconic Doom Slayer, unleashing hell upon the forces of hell in a fast-paced, ultra-violent romp.
Doom Eternal takes everything that made its predecessor great and cranks it up to 11 with more intricate platforming, new weapons, and even more brutal demon-slaying.
Expect intense combat, epic boss fights, and environments filled with chaos. Both games deliver non-stop action, with enough blood and guts to satisfy your need for Doom-style carnage.
Why it’s great to play while waiting for Doom: The Dark Ages
Let’s face it: if you’re here, you’re probably a sucker for ripping and tearing through demons, and there’s no better way to get your Doom fix than diving into these modern classics.
The high-speed combat, over-the-top action, and Doom’s signature run-and-gun gameplay will keep you primed for Doom: The Dark Ages.
Plus, if you’re itching for more demon-slaying sequences and creative platforming, Doom Eternal is the perfect game to fill the void.
Dark Souls Remastered
Platforms: PlayStation 4; PC; Xbox One; Nintendo Switch
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Dark Souls Remastered is the quintessential action RPG, combining brutal difficulty with intricate world-building, stunning lore, and punishing combat.
The remastered version enhances the original game’s visuals and improves the performance, making it more accessible to modern audiences while retaining the intense challenge.
Set in the cursed land of Lordran, you’ll face terrifying monsters, massive bosses, and a world filled with hidden secrets.
Every death feels earned, and every victory, no matter how small, comes with a sense of immense accomplishment.
Why it’s great to play while waiting for Doom: The Dark Ages
If you’re looking for a challenge as brutal as any demon encounter in Doom, then Dark Souls Remastered is just the thing to keep your reflexes sharp and your spirit crushed (in the best way possible).
The dark, gothic atmosphere of Dark Souls will feel right at home with whatever gritty, medieval vibes Doom: The Dark Ages is bound to deliver.
Plus, the combat is relentless and unforgiving – just like Doom, only with a heavier dose of medieval knight armour and soul-crushing bosses.
It’s a perfect way to prepare for the inevitable pain and glory of whatever lies ahead in Doom: The Dark Ages.
Bloodborne
Platforms: PlayStation 4
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In Bloodborne, you’ll step into the shoes of the Hunter, exploring the gothic city of Yharnam as you fight nightmarish creatures and uncover dark, mysterious secrets.
Set in a world inspired by Victorian horror, Bloodborne delivers lightning-fast combat, insane bosses, and a grim narrative.
The game’s atmosphere is one of oppressive dread, punctuated by moments of awe as you take on terrifying monsters, eldritch horrors, and ancient gods.
The game’s pace is faster than Dark Souls, emphasising aggressive combat and dodging rather than careful, methodical fighting.
Why it’s great to play while waiting for Doom: The Dark Ages
If Doom’s demon-slaying action is what you crave, Bloodborne offers a different yet equally satisfying experience – one that’s more about hunting down horrific creatures in a dark, gothic setting.
The fast combat and dread-filled atmosphere will prepare you for the dark, twisted world Doom: The Dark Ages will surely offer.
Plus, if you’re looking for a game that’ll keep you on edge, Bloodborne’s brutal difficulty and heart-pounding combat will prepare you for any challenge the Doom universe can throw your way.
Hades
Platforms: PC; macOS; Nintendo Switch; PlayStation 4; PlayStation 5; Xbox One; Xbox Series X/S; iOS
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Hades combines rogue-like dungeon crawling with fast-paced combat, stylish visuals, and a story that’s equal parts hilarious and heart-wrenching.
You play as Zagreus, the son of Hades, as you try to escape the Underworld and find your way to the surface.
Along the way, you’ll battle through various stages of the Underworld, meeting colourful characters from Greek mythology and collecting powerful upgrades to enhance your abilities.
Every death in Hades is a chance to learn and grow, making each attempt at escaping the Underworld feel like a fresh start.
Why it’s great to play while waiting for Doom: The Dark Ages
While it is more charming than the Doom franchise, Hades delivers some of the most satisfying combat you’ll find in any game.
The rogue-like mechanics, combined with flashy combat and witty banter, keep the pace high and the stakes high.
Plus, you’re battling through the Underworld – doesn’t that sound like a great way to train for whatever hellish adversaries Doom: The Dark Ages is cooking up?
The action is fast, the rewards are plentiful, and the hilarious characters will keep your spirits up while you prepare for the demons of the Doom universe.
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice
Platforms: PC; PlayStation 4; Xbox One; Nintendo Switch; Xbox Series X/S
Get It Here
Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice follows Senua, a Celtic warrior, on her journey through the Norse underworld as she battles not just physical enemies but also her own inner demons.
The game is a powerful mix of psychological horror and action, exploring themes of mental illness, grief, and personal struggle.
The combat is brutal and satisfying, but the real draw is the haunting atmosphere and the story that grips you from beginning to end.
The game’s use of binaural audio creates an unsettling, immersive experience that makes you feel like you’re experiencing Senua’s journey firsthand.
Why it’s great to play while waiting for Doom: The Dark Ages
If you want something with a little more psychological depth, Hellblade provides the perfect balance of emotional intensity and brutal combat.
The dark world Senua navigates resembles the grim, gritty setting you might expect from Doom: The Dark Ages.
The haunting atmosphere, monstrous foes, and psychological horror elements make Hellblade a perfect pick for anyone looking to stay immersed in dark, action-packed gameplay while waiting for the next Doom instalment.
There you have it, Slayer – five games to keep your reflexes sharp and your demons at bay until Doom: The Dark Ages finally lands.
Whether you’re looking to get your fix of mindless destruction or dive into a dark, soul-crushing journey (both of which are very much Doom-adjacent, of course), these titles should more than suffice.
And hey, if you get too distracted and lose track of time, blame it on the demons. They’ve been known to warp reality before, right?
Now, go ahead, pick a game, and prepare yourself for the next big, hellish ride. And remember, while you’re waiting, always keep your chainsaw ready – because you never know when it will be Doom o’clock.